The Eating...Our Words 100: Renatta Lindsey, The Taste Contestant and Houston Home Cook

A self-identified "home cook" from Houston, Texas who will compete on the comfort food episode of ABC's The Taste (airing tonight at 7 p.m. CST). Lindsey's stellar Dijon chicken with mashed potatoes garnered her a coveted spot on the team mentored by British food writer Nigella Lawson.

How it all began:

Growing up in Mississippi, Lindsey learned about the power of good food by watching her mother. "She used cooking as a means of getting family members together. I saw that food had this amazing 'bonding' property -- an ability to bring people together."

And the first dish she learned to make? "Banana pudding," Lindsey recalls fondly. "That recipe stuck with me forever."

Who inspires her:

"I love Rachael Ray and Paula Deen. Both have a down-home spirit. They're easy to watch and their food is delicious, straight-forward, not too complicated." Lindsey is also thrilled to be working on The Taste with Nigella Lawson, whom she admires for being "a self-taught cook and someone who distinguished herself globally by thinking out of the box."

Still based in Houston, but perhaps with her own cooking show. "I would love to have something where I invite regular people to cook and eat with me. Almost like inviting folks into a home environment."

The title of this program? "Um, well..." Lindsey giggles. "I always joke it would be something like 'Cooking With Sunshine' because that's my personality and what I like to convey when I prepare food."

Throughout this explanation, I could hear the most endearing note of bashfulness in her voice. Renatta, my dear, if anyone could pull it off, you can. Best of luck on The Taste; H-town and this reporter are rooting for you.

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